Yesterday was a great day. We've been praying for God's provision- and we've been planning as if it's coming. Today God showed Himself mighty and faithful on our behalf.
I stopped to check the mail on the way to the office this morning, and pulled out what was a generous check from a local church in our city, Church of the Highlands. The remarkable thing about the check was that the team of people at this great church have not yet been to The Village to help in a substantial way (a new friend and brother in Christ who is helping lead the Transformation class for recovery on Thursday evenings is a member there, and I have recently gotten to know one of the missions leaders there). Based on the relationship with these two men, as well as the mission of The Village, this church has generously extended grace to us. They are, according to Outreach Magazine, the fastest growing church in America for this past year. The pastor is a man of humility and boldness- and I have been impressed by all of the leaders I have met under his direction. An incredible thank you goes to them.
After scurrying through a few envelopes (there were no bills this morning!), I saw a returned address labelled "Regions Morgan Keegan Trust." Unsure as to what it was, and as it was addressed to The Village, c/o me, I opened and found a $150 check. Let me explain...
About two months ago, we applied (The Village did) for a grant through The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham to start a staffing agency to help people find jobs through The Village, as well as others in the area that are coming to us for help. We received a $20,000 grant from them to do this project, which we should receive funding for in the next few weeks.
Come to find out, they have "donor advised" funds, as well. A donor heard of our project and wanted to contribute from their own private funds over-and-above what the foundation was already doing. Enter the extra $150. This was huge- someone who has not seen us or met us (that we know of, at least) has contributed to further the mission.
I set the mail down (a small stack) and went about my routine.
Finally, about an hour later, I walked back into the office to sort through the mail. Amazingly, at the bottom of the stack, I found an envelope addressed, again, from Regions Morgan Keegan Trust. I opened, excited that I was going to find $150 more dollars from an anonymous donor. I didn't happen.
I opened the envelope and found that we had received an additional $10,000 check!
Thinking something may be wrong, I called The Community Foundation for verification. Everything was correct. We had received the $20,000 grant- as well as checks from other donors that heard about our project and wanted to assist.
The day got better, still.
We've been working with Bobby Nix from Christian Service Mission for several weeks now in what is turning out to be a great long-term partnership for local ministry. We regularly receive massive amounts of food from them that we redistribute throughout The Village, as well as throughout the downtown area in some of the areas we are serving and striving to launch congregations. Instead of bringing bread and pastries, yesterday Bobby brought the massive truck full of bread, pastries, cupcakes, pies, lunch meat, butter & other staples, vegetables galore, and steak! It usually takes our small army of volunteers about an hour to unload and sort. This week it took over 5 hours- and it's still going! What a great feast to pass on to those in need!
I am grateful to this church, to the foundation, to the Christian Service Mission, and to the donors that we have not met. Thank you for your help in our efforts to change the city from the inside out.
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